Rhinoplasty

At the Centre for Rhinoplasty at CCFPS, we provide patients in Bethesda, with superior cosmetic nose surgery. A scholar in the field of rhinoplasty, Dr. Jennifer Parker Porter believes that achieving a beautiful nose isn’t about homogeny, but rather about harmony and balance. Rhinoplasty, frequently referred to as a nose job, is a surgery of millimeters. A cosmetic nose surgery procedure is never undertaken to achieve some pre-existing standard of beauty, but rather to restore and maintain a nose shape, size, and position that complements the proportions of the face. During your initial cosmetic surgery consultation, sophisticated computer MIRROR® imaging technology will be employed to ensure that together you and Dr. Jennifer Parker Porter can create a look that respects your cultural heritage and aesthetic individuality. Some patients opting for rhinoplasty are interested in more overall improvement of facial beauty. Dr. Jennifer Parker Porter can also perform eyelid surgery, facelift, brow lift, and other facial cosmetic procedures during the rhinoplasty procedure.

Dr. Jennifer Parker Porter offers Rhinoplasty to Washington D.C. patients. Watch this video to learn more about this cosmetic procedure.

Rhinoplasty – What Should I Expect?

A wide range of aesthetic goals can be met at our cosmetic surgery practice. Washington D.C. area surgeon Dr. Jennifer Parker Porter is one of the area’s best in cosmetic nose surgery, and can alter the size of your nose, change the shape of the tip or the bridge, adjust the width of the nostrils, or alter the angle of the nose in relation to the upper lip. Rhinoplasty can remove a hump and improve nasal disproportion. In addition to achieving cosmetic improvements, the procedure can also be employed to correct problems resulting from nose injuries and can help relieve certain breathing difficulties.

How Is a Cosmetic Nose Surgery Procedure Performed?

There are two basic methods for performing cosmetic nose surgery, the open method and the closed method. At our Maryland rhinoplasty centre, Dr. Jennifer Parker Porter has had extensive experience with both methods. During an open rhinoplasty procedure Dr. Jennifer Parker Porter will make a small incision along the columella. The columella is the strip of tissue that separates the nostrils. An open rhinoplasty tends to leave a tiny scar, but the scar is hardly visible because it is strategically placed in an area that is usually in shadow. If a closed rhinoplasty procedure is performed then the sites of incision will all be internal, rather than external. Dr. Jennifer Parker Porter prefers to use the closed technique for the majority of her procedures, reserving the open technique for patients undergoing revision rhinoplasty, patients increasing their tip definition, or patients correcting an overall structural problem such as a crooked nose. The closed rhinoplasty procedure works best for patients with thin to medium skin thickness, while the open procedure is often the more suitable option for patients with increased skin thickness. There are benefits associated with both methods and a comprehensive consultation with Jennifer Parker Porter, MD, is the only way to be certain about which method would be most appropriate for your specific rhinoplasty needs. Visit us to see a collection of rhinoplasty before and after pictures.

How Does the Computer Mirror® Imaging System Work?

The computer is able to transform a photograph of your face into an image of what you might look like following rhinoplasty. During your cosmetic surgery consultation, this photographic image can be manipulated based on your aesthetic preferences and any suggestions that Dr. Jennifer Parker Porter may have in accordance with her extensive experience as a rhinoplasty surgeon. The computer imaging system is a communication tool that allows you to more clearly express the desires you have for your nose’s ultimate appearance. In turn it enables Dr. Jennifer Parker Porter to show you exactly what is possible using the most recent advances in rhinoplasty surgical techniques and technology so that you can enjoy more realistic expectations for the outcome of the procedure.

How Long Is the Recovery Period Following a Rhinoplasty Procedure?

Recovery time from cosmetic nose surgery can vary. Our rhinoplasty expert usually recommends that a patient reserve seven to 10 days for their initial recovery. The cast and stitches, if any are present, are removed approximately one week after surgery. Sometimes patients are fitted with a nose splint to stabilize the septum, the wall dividing the nasal passages. If present, this is also removed after about a week. Bruising is common following the procedure. Shortly after any postoperative dressings have been removed, many patients feel strong enough to resume light activities, such as having dinner with friends, driving, or going to the movies. Remember, however, that a complete recovery after cosmetic nose surgery will take time and patience. The final results of your cosmetic surgery will not be apparent for up to a year after rhinoplasty is performed. You should avoid strenuous activities for at least four weeks and avoid excessive direct sun exposure to help ensure a smooth recovery. Complications associated with the procedure are rare and usually minor. The risk of complications can be greatly reduced by adherence to Dr. Jennifer Parker Porter’s post-operative care instructions.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Cosmetic Nose Surgery?

Many people in the Washington D.C. area are good candidates for cosmetic nose surgery. Rhinoplasty results will vary slightly depending upon the pre-existing bone and cartilage structure of your nose, your face shape, your age, and the thickness of your skin. Once you have decided to undergo rhinoplasty, Dr. Jennifer Parker Porter will assess your nose structurally and aesthetically. She will use this information to construct a treatment plan to optimize your outcome. Cosmetic nose surgery should be performed on persons whose facial structure has stabilized. In most cases it is not a recommended procedure for minors, particularly if they have not completed the growth spurts that usually conclude in the mid to late teen years.
Previous rhinoplasty procedures in your medical history do not preclude you from having the procedure done again. Approximately 50 percent of the rhinoplasties that Dr. Jennifer Parker Porter performs are revisions from other cosmetic nose surgery procedures. Previous operative reports are helpful if available. If your nose has been injured or undergone any surgery in the past then you should inform Dr. Jennifer Parker Porter at the time of your consultation. During the consultation Dr. Jennifer Parker Porter will determine whether the procedure will require cartilage grafts from other areas of the body. This is not necessary in all cases. A majority of revision rhinoplasty procedures involve an external, or open, approach. This is to better visualize the work previously performed.

How does Rhinoplasty differ for patients from different ethnic backgrounds?

I have written several book chapters on this topic and, through the years, have treated many patients from a variety of ethnicities. Whether it is African American Rhinoplasty, Asian Rhinoplasty, or Rhinoplasty in patients of Latino descent, each patient is approached on an individual basis. Frequently I find that the external approach is the preferred surgical approach because of the thickness of the skin and the desire for increased definition of the tip. The external approach allows for further contouring that will become apparent as the nose heals. Additionally, the healing time to reach the final result in the “ethnic” rhinoplasty patient is usually on the order of one and a half years. Although there are obvious changes early on, this extra time is the time to refinement. Visit your best clinic for plastic surgery in Chevy Chase MD (serving Washington DC). We’ll be happy to share our rhinoplasty before and after collection of satisfied procedures.